Aperitif time: raw sea urchins 4Comments
One of the things I and Marika love about the summer in Puglia is the chance to enjoy our favorite aperitif, may be on the beach while watching a beautiful sunset!
There are many things that Pugliese people have during the aperitif.
What I and Marika love the most are the sea urchins. Both accompanied by a good glass of Italian Prosecco wine, the Valdobbiadene Doc is one of our favorites.
Aperitif is a very special moment of the day in Puglia. It can take place at around 12…after breakfast, before going to the beach; or at 8pm after a day spent on the beach before getting ready to have dinner. In Puglia we have a sort of Latin culture therefore dinner is never before 10.30pm, even in winter.
Many people say they will never try sea urchins ….never, never in their life! We have seen lots of people who started with just one….and who are now coming back to Puglia just to eat the sea urchins! Of course there are many ways to eat sea urchins: you can have them on top of the linguine, very simply cooked with just some parsley.
However, the most unforgettable way is to have them raw, by the sea while the fisherman opens them for you a few minutes after he catches them!
Bread is allowed to get all the juice. Fishermen have their special or hidden places where they stop to open sea urchins. Usually you will find them in any village by the sea.
Hello Ashley,
in Puglia there are plenty of places where you can eat sea urchins. The key is to go to places by the sea. In Gallipoli, in the old town, there are fishermen who open them for you. Be aware, that they are not restaurants, so you don’t get tables and forks.
It’s hard to choose between Otranto and Gallipoli. They are both beautiful. You cannot go wrong. Gallipoli has green sea water. Otranto has blue sea water. In terms of culinary experience, I love seafood from Gallipoli and I love almost all restaurants there. But then I also love lots of restaurants on the Adriatic coast south of Otranto, near S. Maria di Leuca. Don’t plan too much. You’ll love everything.
Hello,
Please can you suggest some small local places where we might be able to eat sea urchins? Preferably somewhere small and local, rather than a smart restaurant
With thanks
Ashley
PS. We are leaving for Puglia next Monday and trying to decide whether to stay near the South East coast around Otranto or on the South West, bestween Gallipoli and Taranto. Would you recommend one more than the other for the best culinary experience? Thanks!!
Tim you have try some raw sea urchins when you come to Puglia. Then we talk!
I'd be interested to try some, but I think I'd have to opt for a cooked version
Even if it's only lightly. As much as I love seafood, I cannot stand sushi/raw fish/seafood. Makes me squeamish!
Still, sounds yum.
Hope things are going well for you two
Busy busy on this end. Looking forward to reading more! Cheers